https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-The-Sect-s-Ironclad-Rules-Article-48/12963254/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-24-Eccentric-and-Carefree-Overly-Cautious-/12963256/
Chapter 23: The Million Pill Masters!
Chapter 23: The Million Pill Masters!
A Gathering of Many!
"Within Hongwu Immortal City, there's actually such a small world!"
Duan Qingyao exclaimed in awe, and Xiao Ling'er's beautiful eyes sparkled with equal astonishment.
All the participants and the onlookers, under the guidance of the City Lord's Mansion, entered this small world, and they couldn't see the end of it at a glance!
The vast venue was densely packed with stone tables, each one laden with the same materials.
Surrounding them were giant stands, some ordinary and some floating in the clouds.
"A preliminary estimate suggests that there are nearly a million Pill Masters participating."
Duan Qingyao sighed, "What a grand event."
Then, her mood took a downturn.
With nearly a million participants, not to mention other factors, just the materials needed for the first round were so extensive that even if Lan Yue Sect sold itself a hundred times over, it wouldn't be enough.
But, if it were the Lan Yue Sect at its peak, it could bear the cost.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but yearn for it, her eyes filled with anticipation, "Go, Ling'er."
"Don't feel pressured, just do your best."
"You're still young. I brought you here not to force you to get a good ranking, but because your Pill Master talent is exceptional. This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain experience."
"Yes, Fifth Elder."
Xiao Ling'er nodded heavily and headed to the venue, casually choosing a spot and waiting quietly.
She had already registered, and now she just waited for the time to come, and then she could start Pill Mastering.
"Teacher."
"You're saying I should charge ahead or... temporarily hide my abilities?"
"Of course, hide your abilities, and pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger."
Liang Danxia laughed.
In terms of Pill Mastering and related experience, who could compare to her?
"Don't be careless. Your talent is indeed exceptional, but with your current abilities and Lan Yue Sect's strength, you can't protect the Earth's Core Fire. So, unless it's absolutely necessary, don't use it."
"Moreover, the Pill Mastering arena is also a battlefield. If you shine too brightly, you'll naturally become a thorn in the eyes and a bone in the throat of your competitors. They'll try to eliminate you by any means necessary."
"So..."
"Start with a low profile. As long as you advance, that's enough. In the end, you can suddenly burst forth and astonish everyone!"
"But..."
"Your Master and the Elders will probably be very surprised."
Xiao Ling'er also laughed.
"This is a pleasant surprise."
She whispered.
Since they were here, it was only natural to aim for a good ranking.
"Haha, there's still some time. Why don't you take a look at these Spirit Herbs and guess the topic for the first round?" Liang Danxia chuckled.
But Xiao Ling'er rolled her eyes, "Teacher, don't you underestimate me too much?"
"Although there are about ten herbs to confuse and distract, the other herbs, no matter how you look at them, are for the Essence Condensation Pill."
"You're only half right."
"Only half right?"
Xiao Ling'er was stunned.
"These additional ten herbs aren't just for confusion and distraction, but the current Essence Condensation Pill formula is like this."
"The ancient formula uses fewer herbs but has a higher refining difficulty. The current formula uses more herbs but has a lower refining difficulty. However, the effect is slightly inferior."
Xiao Ling'er blinked, "Then why not continue using the ancient formula?"
"The difficulty is too high. Not all Pill Masters have your level of talent, and the success rate is too low. The waste of herbs far exceeds these additional ten or so herbs."
"These additional herbs are mostly for assistance, and they won't increase the pill's power. Instead, they might cause some interference."
"So..."
"Start with a low profile. As long as you advance, that's enough. In the end, you can suddenly burst forth and astonish everyone!"
"But..."
"Your Master and the Elders will probably be very surprised."
Xiao Ling'er also laughed.
"This is a pleasant surprise."
She whispered.
Since they were here, it was only natural to aim for a good ranking.
"Haha, there's still some time. Why don't you take a look at these Spirit Herbs and guess the topic for the first round?" Liang Danxia chuckled.
But Xiao Ling'er rolled her eyes, "Teacher, don't you underestimate me too much?"
"Although there are about ten herbs to confuse and distract, the other herbs, no matter how you look at them, are for the Essence Condensation Pill."
"You're only half right."
"Only half right?"
Xiao Ling'er was stunned.
"These additional ten herbs aren't just for confusion and distraction, but the current Essence Condensation Pill formula is like this."
"The ancient formula uses fewer herbs but has a higher refining difficulty. The current formula uses more herbs but has a lower refining difficulty. However, the effect is slightly inferior."
Xiao Ling'er blinked, "Then why not continue using the ancient formula?"
"The difficulty is too high. Not all Pill Masters have your level of talent, and the success rate is too low. The waste of herbs far exceeds these additional ten or so herbs."
"These additional herbs are mostly for assistance, and they won't increase the pill's power. Instead, they might cause some interference.
However, the success rate of pill formation can be significantly improved with these auxiliary herbs, each with its strengths and weaknesses."
"At least, that's the case for ordinary pill masters."
Xiao Ling'er finally understood.
But Liang Danxia continued, "Let's increase the difficulty. This time, you'll use this new pill formula you've never tried before to refine the Essence Condensation Pill."
Xiao Ling'er couldn't help but feel nervous, "What if I fail?"
Liang Danxia smirked, "The elders don't have high expectations of you either. Even if you fail, it won't be a big deal."
"Teacher~~~"
"Alright, alright, I'm not teasing you. The truth is, I believe in you."
Xiao Ling'er: "..."
Time passed.
Soon, a powerful cultivator took the stage, their formidable aura soaring into the sky, instantly silencing the entire venue.
"This is..."
Xiao Ling'er narrowed her eyes slightly.
Liang Danxia's voice echoed in her mind, "A Seventh Dao Convergence Realm cultivator indeed has the qualifications to be arrogant."
"A Seventh Realm Cultivator."
Xiao Ling'er was secretly surprised and became much more cautious.
On stage, the powerful Seventh Dao Convergence Realm cultivator spoke casually, "The rules for pill refinement are similar everywhere. I won't go into too much detail. Since you've come to participate, you must give it your all."
"In this first round, we'll be refining the Essence Condensation Pill."
"Within one hour, successfully condense the pill, and those who achieve a quality of Third Rank or higher will advance to the next round."
"Now."
"Begin!"
The other pill masters immediately started their refinement.
Xiao Ling'er hesitated slightly.
"Teacher, this pill formula..."
"Figure it out yourself." Liang Danxia didn't offer any guidance, "As I said earlier, I believe in your abilities. Although you've never used this formula, it's only Third Rank, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you."
Xiao Ling'er exhaled.
"Yes, teacher, I'll do my best."
Xiao Ling'er's confidence gradually grew.
She had never competed in pill refinement before, so she wasn't sure how she compared to other pill masters. But since her teacher believed in her, she knew she could do it! However, she wasn't familiar with this formula and didn't know how to handle the additional herbs, so she couldn't just start blindly.
Among the numerous pill masters, Xiao Ling'er became the only odd one out.
All the other pill masters had already started, but she just stood there, looking around aimlessly, appearing particularly lost and unsure.
Soon, someone in the audience noticed this.
It was hard not to notice because she stood out so much.
"Hmph, look at that female cultivator. All the other pill masters have already started, racing against time, but she's just standing there, looking around as if she's clueless?" A cultivator found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh mockingly.
The spectators around also chuckled.
"She probably can't do it, right?"
"She dares to participate even though she can't refine the Essence Condensation Pill? That's quite courageous."
"She's probably from some third-rate sect, thinking she can join the fun and try her luck. But why don't they consider that this is Hongwu Immortal City! The pill masters here are highly skilled. Even if she succeeds, it's just beginner's luck."
"..."
The surrounding comments were particularly grating.
Duan Qingyao frowned slightly but didn't refute them.
She knew Xiao Ling'er's pill refinement skills, and the Essence Condensation Pill was her specialty. It was just a simple Third Rank requirement, how could it possibly be a challenge for her?!
"But why hasn't Ling'er started yet?"
(End of Chapter)
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